alabama, everyone sort of ridicules the education of the school. >> which is not fair. >> they're up to 75%. they're not getting the same kids. and we've talked about off camera, notre dame gets the best of the best in terms of students and athletes put together. >> they do. they get the best -- i'm going to say because of their brand and they're so famous and so symbolically catholic. they get the best from the catholic high schools all around the country. >> right. >> i want to bring in cnbc's own distinguished notre dame alumni. most distinguished. her name is mary thompson. mary's coming to us from miami. first of all, good evening, mary. >> reporter: good evening to you, larry. wish you were here. it's been a great weekend. >> actually, i wish i were here too. i want to ask you, is god on notre dame's side tonight? how do you handicap this? >> well, the other night on notre dame's side -- so that for sure. >> how is the alabama side? in fact, step back a minute. what's the whole atmosphere there? is it tense? is it playful? is it just excitement and enthusiasm? how do you read i